While the purple pumpkins still help raise awareness for epilepsy, they have a dual purpose during this year's trick-or-treating festivities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2020, having a purple pumpkin on your doorstep also serves as a signal that you've taken the necessary precautions in an effort to lower the risks for everyone involved, as explained by Good Housekeeping.
By displaying a purple pumpkin, households make it clear that they've followed recommended safety guidelines to keep trick-or-treaters safe. According to Boston 25 News, this means that people in the home will wear masks while they give out Halloween candy, and that the costumed children will receive their treats wrapped in individual baggies. Communities across the country have rallied around the purple pumpkin trend to keep people safe and simultaneously promote epilepsy research.
A spokesperson for the foundation shared their enthusiasm for the growth of the trend with Good Housekeeping, saying, "We see this as an opportunity to expand our message beyond our epilepsy community, educate and engage with those who previously had no knowledge about epilepsy."
